Personal Statement - Mechanical Engineering 9

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Engineering is an innate characteristic of man even some lower mammals. (example). It is however more prevalent in some humans, than others. I am fortunate that engineering runs in our family and appreciate the benefits this cultural capital has made towards my personal development. Historically engineering has been the domain of man, but this is changing and I hope to contribute towards this. Women are increasingly joining what were previously male dominated professions and putting their distinctive mark on them.

Following my initial year in the sixth form, I revaluated my chosen A-levels in light of my year’s personal development. This resulted in a different mix for year thirteen and fourteen as I realised the spectrum of career choices available to an engineering graduate. The two day course at Queen Mary University played a significant part in the above increased awareness. It enabled me to firm up my degree choice by way of their comprehensive delivery of the fundamentals of engineering, for which I am very grateful. I have recently been fascinated how a single concept in engineering can through a range of different mind sets spawn an array of outcomes. Natasha McCarthy’s “Engineering- Beginners Guide” was for me very though provoking. She explored a range of ways in which engineering integrates itself into our lives. I began to see everyday objects from a different perspective and I stared to consider how I might process my fledgling ideas towards an end product.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

My choice of A-levels was the first bridge towards a profession in engineering. They have broadened my knowledge and expanded my interest particularly in mechanical engineering Pulley systems is one aspect which I found particularly engaging with its application of displacement, velocity and acceleration. Psychology was initially my fun subject, but surprisingly it has contributed towards my communication and presentation skills, which will employ in my future work environment. More recently I used these skills in delivering a psychological study to my peers, which seemed to go down well.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

In the process of tutoring KS3 pupils over several months, I discovered how they related to numbers and more significantly their perspective on mathematics in general. I found the experience so engaging that I continued to teach them beyond the allocated period. I also taught a year seven class Drama, creating lesson plans and delivering them to a very “active” group of pupils. This enhanced my management skills because I had to operate between a time window. This will hopefully improve my future deadlines at university and beyond.

Completing the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award was both challenging and rewarding. I began to explore my personal boundaries and how much I would have to push the envelope to achieve my personal goals. It also increased my appreciation of the significance of team work and leadership in achieving the above goals. I was nominated by my fellow students to liaise with another school with a view of joining the group for the Gold Award in which I look forward to being tested further.

Supporting the “race for life” 2011 I completed the 5km run and raised some money in the process. I would lay claim to an artistic side and have designed and manufactured a number of clothes. Perhaps this early hobby of mine foreshadows a future career in engineering!

Grades achieved:

• Maths (AS) - C (resat AS year and achieved this)
• Psychology (AS) - B (resat AS year and achieved this)
• Physics (AS) - B (resat AS year and achieved this)
• Citizenship (AS) - E (resat AS year and achieved this)

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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